The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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NCAA Great Lakes Regional: women's cross country U-M Captures Regional Title And Prepares For Championships The No. 14 nationally ranked Michigan women's cross country team was third in the field for the NCAA Great Lakes Regional Nov. 15, and rightfully so head coach Mike McGuire said — the Wolverines had lost to No. 9 Butler at a meet earlier in the season and had just finished second to No. 6 Michigan State at the Big Ten Championships Nov. 3. However, the coach had a message for his team, telling them to expect to win. "This year, losing Big Tens really tested us, and I told the team before the regional, 'Michigan State is a good team but so are we,' and I wanted them to go out there and race like it," he said. With freshman Erin Finn placing second overall, and sophomore Shannon Osika and junior Brook Handler crossing the finish line in sixth and seventh place, respectively, the Maize and Blue (48 Sophomore Shannon Osika (266) and junior Brook points) bested the Bull- Handler (262) crossed the finish line in sixth and sevdogs (67 points) and Spar- enth place, respectively, to help Michigan win its third tans (73 points) to capture consecutive regional title. photo courtesy michigan athletic media relations its third straight NCAA regional title and the ninth of McGuire's 22-year career. "It means a lot for us to win regionals three years in a row," Handler said. "Obviously, we'd rather win Big Tens, but you can't have a good race every time. I think it just shows our heart and strength that we're able to come back and win regionals." About an hour after the women's team won the meet, the men's team also took home first place, marking the first time in Michigan history the two programs captured the regional title in the same season.